Kilotons (metric, explosive energy) conversion

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Kilotons (metric,explosive energy)

Abbreviation/Symbol:

  • kt

Unit of:

  • Energy and power

Worldwide use:

  • Used to compare the destructive effect of nuclear weapons or other events such as asteroid impact

Definition:

A kiloton of TNT is the amount of energy released in the detonation of 1,000 metric tons of TNT. It equates to 4.184 terajoules

Common references:

  • 1 kiloton is equivalent to 1,000 tons of TNT. The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima exploded with an energy of about 15 kilotons

Usage context:

Commonly used militarily to compare explosive power

Component units:

  • There are 1,000 Kilotons in a Megaton